Part 6 of 6 The Remote Worker and the FLSA How churches should handle employee classifications and overtime pay as more people work from home. Elaine L. Sommerville, CPA & Frank Sommerville, CPA, JD
Part 5 of 6 Title VII and Church Employment Practices How the Supreme Court’s interpretation of Title VII’s term “sex” affects church employment. Frank Sommerville
10 Legal and Tax Developments for Churches and Church Staff Richard Hammar covers what church leaders should know—and anticipate—for the rest of 2022 and into 2023. Richard R. Hammar
Recommended Reading Church Employment Issues That Lead to Litigation Notable court decisions about common employment disputes. Richard R. Hammar
Part 3 of 6 Internships: Blessings or Blind Spots? Here’s how churches can avoid tripping up on important legal, tax, and risk management issues with interns. Frank Sommerville
Part 1 of 6 Applying the Ministerial Exception to Church Employees Understanding this key legal doctrine, how it works, and when it matters—or doesn’t—for specific positions. Frank Sommerville
Part 2 of 6 Developing Strong Job Descriptions for Employees and Volunteers Well-crafted job descriptions are critical to each church’s mission and proper functioning. Frank Sommerville
Part 4 of 6 The Importance of a Legally Sound Employee Handbook A handbook not only protects the church and its staff—it also helps create a healthy relationship between employer and employee. Frank Sommerville
Recommended Reading Key Employee Issues Unique to Churches—and How to Navigate Them How the ministerial exception, job descriptions, internships, and employee handbooks can make your ministry sink or swim. The Editors
Read the Latest Update Key Loan Forgiveness Program Change May Help Church Workers with Student Debt Education department expands eligibility after 2017 Trinity Lutheran decision—but acceptance is still no certainty. Matthew Branaugh
The Top 10 Articles on Church Law & Tax in 2020 Here’s what interested church leaders the most this past year. Michelle Dowell
How Thorough Is Our Background Screening Program? Proper screening costs very little but increases safety a great deal. The Editors
Can Churches Dismiss an Employee Without Cause? Understanding the limitations of "employment at will." Donn Meindertsma
What the CARES Act Means for Churches and Church Staff How to navigate the government’s $2.2 trillion stimulus plan responding to COVID-19’s economic fallout. Richard R. Hammar
An Overview of the CARES Act for Churches Key highlights from the government’s $2.2 trillion stimulus plan responding to COVID-19. Richard R. Hammar
How New FMLA Changes Will Affect Churches During the Coronavirus Outbreak These temporary provisions affect church leaders throughout 2020. Danny Miller and Donn Meindertsma
A Closer Look at New Overtime Rules Taking Effect in 2020 What the Labor Department’s increased minimum salary threshold means for churches. Richard R. Hammar
Employment Dispute Ruling Reinforces Church Decisions about Hiring and Firing Seventh Circuit: Churches, not courts, should determine ministerial nature of roles. Erik Stanley
Can One Church Warn Another of a Former Employee’s Misconduct? A negative employment reference could create civil liability. Richard R. Hammar